'Recklessly spending tax dollars': Questions arise over cost of government infrastructure projects
Questions are being asked in the legislature about the significant cost of two major government infrastructure projects.
An expansion of 69 beds to the Prince Albert Hospital will cost three times the original estimate, while Lake Diefenbaker irrigation is proceeding without government dollars.
The government has awarded a construction contract for nearly $900 million. A local area MLA is questioning the expenditure.
“In Prince Albert, they’re spending $13 million for every new hospital bed,” said Saskatchewan United Party Leader Nadine Wilson.
The government said non-residential construction costs are up over 40 per cent, steel itself is up 80 per cent.
“Costs have escalated in that project as they have in other projects in Saskatchewan, not just hospitals or long term care homes, schools as well,” Minister of Health Everett Hindley said.
Wilson is also questioning the province’s decision to go it alone on the Lake Diefenbaker irrigation project after the federal government failed to come through as a financial partner.
“Yet they have a government that is recklessly spending tax dollars on nearly every project. Take for example the Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Project where this government is planning to spend $44,000 per acre,” she said.
The government says Wilson’s estimate is high.
“It’s not the number. I mean, you look at the first phase, we’re going to turn on 90,000 acres when it’s completed in the first phase at about $1.2 billion which works out to about $12,000 an acre,” Minister of Agriculture David Marit said.
The provincial government remains committed to both projects while remaining hopeful that Ottawa will still come through as a partner on the Lake Diefenbaker irrigation project.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.5539352.1628465336!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
DEVELOPING Jasper updates: Wildfire moving 'faster than expected' toward townsite
Vehicles and heavy equipment have been seen leaving Jasper National Park throughout Wednesday afternoon.
2 wildfires less than 8 km away from Jasper townsite, some structures impacted in national park
As the evacuation order continues for Jasper National Park, officials confirm that some structures in the park have been damaged by fire, but they can't confirm what those structures are.
Biden says he ended re-election bid to unite party
Insisting that 'the defence of democracy is more important than any title,' U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday explained in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and to throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.
Wildfire north of Calgary prompts evacuation alert, highway closures
A wildfire is prompting evacuations and highway closures north of Calgary.